Five members of Colorado’s congressional delegation on Wednesday sparred over the budget, transportation, environmental regulation and the over-budget Veterans Administration hospital under construction in Aurora.

They began by stating how well they get along, but by the end of their appearance at a forum, that wasn’t so clear.

The setting was Colorado Association of Commerce and Industry’s second annual legislative luncheon at the Ritz Carlton in downtown Denver before a nearly standing-room-only crowd.

Rep. Diane DeGette, a Democrat, began by talking about the Export-Import Bank, which finances the export of American goods and services. Congressional authorization for the EXIM Bank, as it’s known, lapsed on July 1, for the first time in its 81-year history. Congressional Democrats and some Republicans have been trying to get it reauthorized throughout the summer. “It’s a no-brainer,” said Rep. Ed Perlmutter, a Democrat. “It’s worked well, makes money for the U.S. and supports small, medium and large business.” He said he hopes the bank will be renewed but added that all indications are “that it’s over.”

Rep. Mike Coffman, a Republican, took the other side, saying he was unsure why the government should be involved in encouraging exports. Capital is available in the private sector, he said. Rep. Ken Buck, also a Republican, acknowledged the EXIM makes money, but maintained that if it were to lose money, taxpayers would be on the hook. He also noted that the EXIM was created during the Great Depression. “We’re in a much different economy, internationally,” Buck said. “We can survive and thrive without it.”

It was obvious there isn’t much agreement among the state delegation on the federal budget, either.

DeGette went on the offensive, complaining that Republicans are playing games with the budget over political issues, including a refusal to vote to fund the Department of the Interior because the budget measure limited the display of the Confederate flag. What’s more, four Republican presidential candidates have said they would shut down the government unless Planned Parenthood lost its federal funding, she said.

Buck, elected last fall to Congress, called the budget process the most frustrating aspect of his new job. The House, he said, has already passed six of the 12 budget bills and that the Senate has been slow to act on them, potentially leading to another budget crisis and a continuing resolution to keep the government running. “I don’t have high hopes. It’s too partisan a process,” Buck added.

On transportation, DeGette said the business community needs to let Congress know how businesses feel about issues that affect them, such as renewing the highway trust fund. “We can’t agree on how we are going to fund it,” she said, and it’s important for transportation and state economies.

Coffman, however, said states need to do their fair share on transportation funding. He pointed out that Colorado hasn’t raised its gas tax in more than 20 years. States shouldn’t just look to Washington for all the answers on transportation, he said.

Fireworks erupted when the discussion turned to energy development, the role of the federal government and the EPA’s updated ozone rules.

DeGette said it was obvious the federal government has jurisdiction over energy development on federal lands and turned the conversation to fracking. She pointed out that she has sponsored a bill on fracking so the procedure can be done in a way that is environmentally friendly.

Rep. Jared Polis, a Democrat, jumped in. A supporter of local control over fossil fuel development, Polis said he didn’t trust Washington or even Denver to address the issue. “Those decisions should be made at the community level,” Polis said. “We should empower our communities,” since the question affects the lifestyle of each community. But the biggest laugh of the day greeted Coffman, who said it’s the job of the state’s attorney general to deal with these issues. “I’ve never won an argument with our attorney general,” he joked. (Coffman, as the amused audience knew, is married to Colorado Attorney General Cynthia Coffman.)

Buck added that he doesn’t trust Washington, either, to make environmental decisions. The EPA has a radical agenda, he said, referring to recent accidental spill caused by the EPA on the Animas River above Durango.

Discussing the VA hospital, Coffman pledged to make sure it gets finished and that veterans get a choice where to get their health care. Buck added that he believed the private sector could handle veterans’ care better than the federal agency.

The last question, asking which candidates Republicans and Democrats should nominate for president, elicited nary a peep from the delegation.

— marianne@coloradostatesman.com